§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. T. W. RUSSELL,) Tyrone, S.This is merely an amending Act to the Act of 1867, by which parishes were authorised to purchase fire engines, but in many cases they have not done so, and under that Act there is no power to make any contract with the neighbouring places for the loan of an engine, so that where a big fire takes place, great loss often occurs through this inability to contract, and the simple object of the Bill is to allow the authorities to make contracts with neighbouring authorities. I hope that the Measure will be allowed to proceed to a Second Reading, because it supplies a want which has been felt for some time.
§ DR. TANNERI object.